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Supporters of Pakistani politician and former cricketer Imran Khan, place flowers outside a hospital where Khan is admitted in Lahore on May 8, 2013. — Photo by AFP

LAHORE, May 8: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan may take three to four weeks for a complete recovery as he has suffered nine fractures in his backbone and chest.

Imran Khan is, however, in high spirits and has been instructing his party leaders to keep on campaigning for the general elections.

According to a report of his CT scan, T6 (fracture) is very complicated.

After examining the CT scan report of Mr Khan, a senior orthopaedic surgeon at the Jinnah Hospital told Dawn that Mr Khan should not move from his bed before three to four weeks because of compression fracture of T6 vertebral body with a 40 per cent loss of height. The other fractures were of minor nature, he said.

The CT scan report is available with Dawn.

A team of specialists at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) advised Mr Khan on Wednesday to take a complete bed rest for two to three days.

The doctors have, however, declared that no neurological or spine-related major disorder was reported in the clinical investigations carried out so far.

The medical check-up of Mr Khan was largely based on the CT scan report which apparently showed no life-threatening fractures on any part of his body, including head and spinal cord.

“Imran has full control over all his body organs and he will be allowed to resume his political activities after more clinical investigations in a couple of days,” a doctor said.

According to the CT scan report, “No intra-axial haemorrhage, hydrocephalus or midline shift was found. No skull fracture was seen either.

“However, small scalp haematoma (collection of blood) was seen in the left frontal/parietal eminence and un-displaced spinous process fracture of T1 was noted. Minimally displaced fracture of the tip of C3 spinous process is also noted.”

The report found “small left sided pneumothorax with some surgical emphysema in supraclavicular recess. Tiny non-classified granuloma measuring 3mm is seen again in the right upper lobe”.

“Left third rib fracture is seen. Compression fracture of T6 vertebral body with 40 per cent height loss is also noted. There is some buckling of posterior vertebral haematoma seen anteriorly in ‘posterior mediastinum’ (an irregular triangular space running parallel with the vertebral column).”

The report, however, showed chronic bilateral pars fractures of L5 body. “No vascular or visceral injury was seen in the abdomen and pelvis, a ring-like structure of bones at the lower end of the trunk. The further review shows an un-displaced fracture of T5 vertebral body and spinous process as well. The neural canal, however, remains intact.”

Dr Faisal Sultan of the SKMCH&RC told newsmen on Wednesday that Mr Khan had suffered a hairline compression fracture on a vertebra on his back. “He has t6, c3 and t5 fractures, but his spinal bone is completely safe.”

He said Mr Khan had been advised complete bed rest for two to three days.

Dr Sultan said a team of medical experts from the Pakistan Army had also examined the PTI chairman.

He said the three injured guards were also brought to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital and one of them had been discharged.

VIDEO SPEECH

Imran Khan is likely to make a speech through video link at his party’s final election rally in Islamabad on Thursday.

Asad Umer, a leader of the PTI, told Dawn that if Mr Khan felt comfortable he would address live. Otherwise his recorded message would be played at the public meeting.

The party’s Vice Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, told a news conference on Wednesday that the party would take a decision about Mr Khan’s address at the Islamabad rally after consultation with the doctors treating him.

He said the party’s leaders met Mr Khan on Wednesday morning and felt relieved when “we were received by him with a broad smile on his face”.

In reply to a question, he said there was no need to send Mr Khan abroad for treatment.

Mr Qureshi said the nation had risen and they would go in the elections hand in hand with Imran Khan.“Now no campaign will be able to change people’s mind as Imran’s emotional message from the hospital bed has touched everybody,” he said.

He said the PTI would not win the elections on the basis of ‘electables’ but on party’s ideology. “Imran Khan has finally created a high tide of tsunami and it will not recede,” he added.

Mr Qureshi said the PPP went out of the game in a few overs and the PML-N was in low spirits because of the determination and conviction of Mr Khan. He said the PTI leader had provided the nation a third option and now it was their responsibility to avail the opportunity to create a ‘new Pakistan’.

Answering a question about the possibility of a coalition government after the elections, he said the ground realities showed that the PTI would be getting a clear mandate.

Jahangir Tareen, a PTI leader, said a huge number of silent voters would vote for the PTI. “This time Pakistan will witness a very high turnout,” he added.

Comments (13) Closed

AHMEDMay 09, 2013 08:24am

I pray for Imran's speedy and complete recovery. He is an honest individual who seem to have genuine intentions...however, I have serious doubt over the caliber of his party's top brass...I have listened to them in numerous talk shows where they failed to understand the complexity of problems Pakistan faces today and had no sane solution to offer except generalities. However, I must say that Imran is the best option among the lot and pray that may Allah grant Imran with the required ability to lead our nation...Ameen!!!

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SyedMay 09, 2013 08:26am

Imran Khan will prove to be a great leader if given an opportunity to serve, even though he is injured but still want to stay in touch with his constituents. Hats off to you Imran!!!

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KhanMay 09, 2013 10:04am

IK build a good hospital ,so today he does not take an air ambulance and rush to Dubai.. I hope others learn this lesson..

Good work Mr. Khan

Best wishes

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sfomannMay 09, 2013 10:13am

This is the last chance Pakistan will have. We have already tried the other parties many times, so nothing is going to be different this time. Please vote Change this time. PTI is the last and the only hope for Pakistan

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AdeelMay 09, 2013 11:15am

Good to note Mr Qureshi's comments, by the way his real brother is also contesting from PPPP and he himself has enjoyed good part of his career in PPPP.......Good Luck Janab

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Such BoloMay 09, 2013 11:43am

PTI leaders and alll Pakistanis need to demand to the government to open an inquire to investigate the whole incident. Some of the basic question should be asked after watching video clips from various TV channel especially from NBC channel. If you watch video clips from NBC closely. you will see there were 3 more peoples behind where Imran was standing. some of the questions need to be asked
Who were those 3 peoples behind imran? They should be asked investigated and checked which party they are affiliated with and what is their background and why they were on fork Lift
Who authorized those guards and which party that person affiliated with. His back ground should be checked
Who was the fork lift operator? which party he is affiliated with and what is his background
Who puts too many wood pallet on which Imran was made to stand? and Why too many wood pallet were put? These pallet raised imran to the level that no side support was there
Were they trained security guards? if they were why did they allowed others to get on the fork lift and why one of them kept holding imran
Do not rule out any thing until satisfactory answers to the key question are found. You can never under estimate the evil brain of Pakistani politics and others
It is very disturbing to that these security guards have no clue how to provide security to imran. if they were trained they shouldn't have allowed any one on fork lift except Imran and may be one or two security guard. Security guards should have been around him not holding his arms
If you see video clip on NBC closely you will see a man in black or blue T-shirt pushing imran from side with his hip which made imran loose his balance. the push was strong enough to made 4 peoples fall from 20 feet. This has to be viewed closely and carefully. Most of the poeples just saw video clips from one side and made the assumption that it was just an accident. We should only believe this after thorough investigation.Imran is the most popuplar leader and had more chance then any other politician to be come next Prime Minister. This is red flag for all those who are corrupt and not well wisher for Pakistan.
Falling from almost 20 feet at the age of 60 and every one saw the way Imran fell, This is only ALLAH's blessing and it not less then a Miracle that he has not suffered any brain or spinal code severe injuries. But Imran needs to take it easy and all of us need to get up and give our 100% support to imran

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Fida Ahmed AdvocateMay 09, 2013 12:15pm

Imran Khan has showed that he truly loves his people and country. We are not thankless people and will do anything for our beloved leader.

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hindhusthaniMay 09, 2013 01:18pm

Imran khans these all shows political gains cinema

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WaqarMay 09, 2013 03:02pm

Imran Khan's video address will be a muted affair due to the almost exclusive coverage of the former PM's son's abduction and the LDA Plaza fire in Lahore.

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M. Zaeem ul HaqMay 09, 2013 05:29pm

He is a true Leader, Allah give him speedy recovery, aamin

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bijayMay 09, 2013 07:23pm

get well soon !

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Izhar MinhasMay 09, 2013 02:29am

Mr. Prime Minister (Imran Khan) you have already done your part extremely well. Now it is our part to get you elected. Your better take complete rest now and be prepared to face huge task to pull our beloved Neya Pakistan from this terrible mess. Get well soon.
Long live Pakistan & long live Imran Khan

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AhmedMay 09, 2013 02:04am

Imran Khan is indeed the best choice among the lot...I pray for his fast and full recovery so that opportunist in his team are not able to take over the party...I seriously doubt ability as well as intentions of his party top brass...Imran is indeed a good hearted person who is idealistic and too simplistic...I wish him great health & prosperity...I wish Imran's good wishes for his nation to come true...Ameen!!!